Coordinating signaling system



Oct. 11, 1927.

J. E. ROBIN .COORDINATING SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed April 21. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 awuamto'l Oct. 11,1927. 4 1,645,024

' J. E. ROBIN COORDINATING smmnme SYSTEM Filed April 21. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNETED STATES JOSEPH E. ROBIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COORDINATING- ,BIGNALING SYSTIEIII.

Application filed April 21, 1921.

several signals transmitted to each station forming a progressive series designated to regulate the activity at the receiving station, and the several series sent to all of the stations being coordinated so that the activities at all of the stations may be held to a uniform time schedule. An example of such use is the regulation of a theatrical performance, such as a vaudeville program.

In such a situation it is desirable, in order to secure proper continuity of the perform ance, and prevent confusion, to inform the several performers or actors when they are to be ready, when to go on, etc, and to coordinate the activities of other participants such as the orchestra leader, and the electricians in charge of the stage lighting, spot light, etc. By furnishing the necessary or desirable warning signals, call signals, etc,

and controlling them from a central transmitting station, the performance may be properly coordinated in itself, and held to a desired time schedule. Another illustrative use is the employment of the system in the presentation of moving pictures wherein it is desired to coordinate the work of the operator of the projecting apparatus and that of the orchestra with ancillary lightiu or stage effects, or to synchronize an orchestral or musical number with changing scenic or lighting effects.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a signaling system which is simple, certain, and accurate in operation, and under control at a central transmittin station, and by which coordinated series of signals of different import may be transmitted to a plurality of distant receiving stations in adesired order or sequence.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a system wherein the relationship of signals transmitted to diiferent stations may be predetermined and varied selectively so that diflerentsignals of the series may be transmitted to the several sta- Serial no. 483,324.

tions simultaneously and in a selected order.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a signaling system in which a series of signals for each of the several receiving stations may be predetermined, and the several series o,f signals coordinated in time relationship so that different signals may be sent to the several stations simultaneously.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a signaling system including a central transmitting station and a plurality of receiving stations, wherein diiferent signals arranged in coordinate series for the several receiving stations may be predetermined at the transmitting station, and constituent signals of the several series transmitted to the several receiving stations simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a signal system including a plurality of receiving stations and a central controlling transmitting station from which the signals may be transmitted to the receiv ing stations either conjointly or independently of one another.

Another object of the invention is the pro.

vision of a signaling apparatus including a plurality of galvanometers disposed at the" receiving stations and connected with a source of electrical energy through variable resistances disposed at a central control station, the resistances associated with the several galvanometer being operable-in common by a control mechanism, so that the several resistances may be varied to vary the energization of the galvanometers simultaneously, the control mechanism being adjustable with respect to the several resistances, so that a given operation of the control mechanism may effect different changes in the several resistances.

ther objects of the vinvention'will be pointed out hereinafter or indicated in the appended claims, or will be obvious upon an understanding of the apparatus described.

In general, the invention contemplates a plurality of variably operable indicating devices suitable for disposal at separate receiving stations, such as in stage dressing rooms, light controlling switchboards, musical directors stand, projecting machine operators booth, and the like, which indicating devices may be equipped with suitable legends indicative of various information. One instrument fulfilling thisrequirement is a suitable form of galvanometer having a dial bearing legends in association with an electrically operated pointer. These several indicating instruments are operably connected with a transmitting mechanism disposed in a central station. This transmitting mechanism includes independently operable signal-determining means associated with the several indicating devices and effective thereon independently, and arranged so that said signal-determining means maybe set to predeterminesignals or series of signals to be transmitted through the indicating devices severally. Signal-determining means fulfilling these requirements comprises a plurality of rheostats, one electrically connected with each of the indicating devices so that it is effective to vary the energization thereof to predetermined extents. The connection arms or switch levers of the several rheostats are independently adjustable so that they may be set at different points. Associated in common with the signa'l-determining devices is an operating mechanism operable to vary the effectiveness of all of the signal-determining devices upon the indicating devices concomitantly. A mechanical device fulfilling this requirement is a mechanical connection operable to move all of the contact arms of the rheostats so as to vary the resistances effective in the several galvanometer circuits. The various devices are suitably associated with a source of energy, such as an electric battery adapted to energize the galvanon'ieters through their associated rheostats. Independently variable resistances may be disposed in the several galvanometers circuits as balancing elements, whereby the impedance in the several circuits may be adjusted so that the indicating devices will calibrate with their controlling signal-determining devices.

A more specific understanding of the invention maybe had by reference to the accompanying drawing which is supplied as an illustration of forms in which the invention may be embodied. It is to be understood, of course, that the illustrated forms are not intended as exhaustive of all the variations, adaptations, or forms in which the invention may be incorporated by exercise of the mechanical skill of the In the said drawing Figure 1 represents dia rammatically an electrical system embodying my invention, and Figure 2 an alternative arrangement.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing by means of the reference characters applied, let it be understood that the characters A, A, A A designate respectively separate indicating devices adapted for disposal at different receiving stations. In the embodiment illustrated, these are shown diagrammatically as indicating galvanometers. Indicating device A, is connected in an electrical circuit by the wires 1 and 2 leading to a main circuit through the central or control station, galvanometer A is similarly connected by the wires 3 and 4, galvanometer A by the wires 5 and (S and galvanometer A by the wires 7 and 8. The dials of these galvanometers are furnished with suitable indicating legends, appropriate to use of the system, which legends are here illustrated by the terms Call, Ready, Go, Stop, and Ofi', and the pointer of the galvanometer is adapted for association with these legends in accordance with the quantity of energiZat-ion of the instrument. The indicating devices are connectcd severally with respective signal-dctermining devices, here diagrammatically illustrated as the rheostats a, a (62, (L3. Each rheostat has suitable contact points for cooperation with its contact arm 10 to determine the amount of resistance effective in the circuit. The dial of each indicating instrument is calibrated with its associated rheostat with reference to the intended quantity of the current so that the variation of resistance in the circuit by movement of the contact arm 10 from point to point will cause the responsive movement of the pointer of the indicating device to bring it into indicating association with the intended legend. T 1e several galvanometers are energized from a suitable source 11 through a main circuit 12 and 13, and the effective quantity of the main current may be established with reference to the potential of the source 11 by ieans of a suitable variable resistance Likewise the normal. quantity of the several galvanometer circuits may be established or balanced by the adjustment of suitable variable resistances 15, 16, 17 and 18, inserted therein.

As stated, the signal-determining devices A, A, A A are grouped at the central control station. with them for the information of the operator, indicating galvanometers Z), 2 5 7f, may be connected in the respective galyanometer circuits. These are supplied with indicating dials conforming to those of their associated instruments and calibrated therewith and with their respective signal-do termining devices.

Operably associated with the signal-(letermining devices in common is an operating or master control mechanisn'l, diagrammatically illustrated by the manually rotat able shaft 19 carrying the worms 520, 21, 22 and 23 operably engaging gears 24, 25, 26 and 27 respectively, which gears are fixed onthe rotatable shafts of the contact arms 10. Said contact arms 10 are independently adjustable on their respective shafts so that they may be set at difierent degrees with respect to the said gears, the adjustable connections being illustrated by the set screws 10 The arrangement is such that opera- Conveniently associa ed tion of the shaft 19 will move the contact arms progressively from contact point to contact point, and thus vary the resistance in the several galvanon'ieter circuits concomitantly. This, of course, will be effective I characters D, D D I), may be installed for calling attention to the indicating instruments, said si nals being operable from the central station in any suitable fashion, as by a push button illustrated schematically and designed by sig. in Fig. 1.

As illustrative of the use and operation oi this system, let it be assumed that the several instruments A, A A A are in separate stage dressing rooms which are in use severally by difierent performers, and that according to the intended program the performer occupying the dressing room in which instrument A is installed is to appear first, followed in order by the performers occupying the dressing rooms in which are indicating instruments A A, and A. Let it be assumed that the several 1 signals designed to regulate the activity of the LQVGl'Zll perforn'iers, or indicating to them the progress 01 the program, may be designated by the dial legendsCall, lteady, Go, Stop, Oii. The operator at the control station predetern'iines the time relationship in which the several signals shall be transmitted to the dilierent indicating instruments by setting the contact arms or the signal-determining devices in the proper relation-ship. In the supposed instance the contact arm of the rheostat a would be set so that it would make connection with the contact point of the resistance element requisite to cause the indicating instrument A to indicate Call before the contact arms of the other rheostats would be in position for cooperation with contact points in their inttrun'ients, and the contact arms of the rheostats a a and a would be set so that, upon operation of the control mechanism 19. they would be moved into cooperation with their contact points in the intended order; i. e., the contact arms of rheostat a would be on Call when the contact arm of rheostat a" were on Ready, contact arm a would be on Call when contact arm of rheosta-t a were on Ready, and connection arm of rheostat a on Call when connection arm a were on Ready. The order in which the signals will be transmitted to the receiving instruments being thus predetermined, and all the connection arms being operated in common by the operating mechanism, it will be obvious that the transmission of the signals to the various stations will be positively coordinated, so that the transmitting operator exercises certain control over the timing of the entire program. It is to be observed, however, that the priority of the several indicating instruments with respect to the series of signals may be established as de-. sired, so that, instead of the order indicated by the illustrated arrangement, in which indicating instrument A stands first on the schedule, any one of the other instruments may be placed first on the schedule and the others following in any desired. order. Moreover, the operator may transmit a do sired signal to any one of the transmitting stations independently of the other stations ,1:

byoperating individually, the contactv arm 01'? its control rheostat. and the dials of the indicating instruments may be provided with extraneous or additional indicating legends, and the rheostats with contact points coordinated therewith.

In Figure 2 is illustrated a modified or alternative arrangement which will serve to illustrate terms in whicn the system may be applied to situations requiring the transmission of special intelligei'ice to the respective stations, such, for instance, as to the orchestra leader, the projecting booth, the stage director, and the switchboard electrician in a moving picture theatre. Here each indicating instrument is shown equipped with legends applying specifically to the activities controlled at its particular station. ln the arrangement shown is employed the same relative associations of indicating instruments, control rheostats, and energizing circuits as have been described, but with another iorm of operative control mechanism. in this arrangement the energization of each rheostatand its associated indicating instrument is controlled by a switch 19 arranged for electrical cooperation with its contac' points 19. These switches are operatively associated with a common controlling device represented by the shittable bar 19 which may be actuated from the hand lever .19 to open orclose all of the sutches simulta.ue ously. The operative connection between the switches 19 and the member 15) is such that any switch may be disconnected from bar 19 and operated individually and independently or" the others, and the several rheostat arms 10 are individually adjustable. To facilitate disconnection of switches ill from rod 19 the pivotal connections between the rod and the-switches may be of a readily seve'able type such as a reasonably close fitting cylindrical pin held in place by friction. This system may be employed in conjunction with a program for the guidance of the operator, in which, under each program number is set out the orchestra selection, the picture, the dramatic production, the stage setting, and the stage lighting, required for such number. Under the lilil lit) guidance of this program, the operator will set the contact arms 10 ot the several instruments at the proper contact points to secure the transmission of the desired signals to the respective stations, and then, at the proper time, will operate the control mechanism to close the switches 19 which will effect the transmission'of the rer' pective signals to the several stations. After the start of the program number to which said signals pertain, the operator may operate the control mechanism to open the switches, and then may operate the switches 19" individually from time to time it necessary, to control any particular activity at any station during the presentation of the number as hereinafter described. Before the time for the next .number to be produced, the operator will set the several contact arms 10 on the proper points, in contorn'iity with his program, and, at the proper time, transmit all the said prearranged signals simultaneously by operation 01. the mechanism 19 In this tashion the progress ot' the performance may be positively controlled and coordinated and, in the event of any sudden change in the order of the numbers on the program, all ol the participants in the production, who may be located at relatively distant and inaccessible points, may be placed in possession immediately of the necessary information to preserve the. desired continuity of the program. in conjunction with this arrangement may be employed, of course, the alarm signals D, l), D, and D controlled from the operating board, as by means of theswitches or push buttons 20.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A signaling system for conveying information to persons at a plurality of sta tions to enable them to coordinate their activities, comprising a plurality oi electrically operated indicating devices one of which is located at each station, each indicatingdevice being adapted to give a plurality of indications which per se are of different character; a plurality of signal-determimug devices one corresponding to each indicating device, said signal-determiningdevicesbeing individually adjustable to provide tor the production simultaneously of diiierent indications at the different stations; circuit connections operatively connecting each signaled to give a plurality of indications which per so are of different character; a plurality of signal-determining devices one corresponding to each indicating device, said signal-determining devices being individually adjustable to provide for the production simultaneously of different indications at the diflerentstations; means operatively connecting each signal-determining device with its respective indicating device; and control means operable to cause the display, simultaneously at the various stations, of indications in accordance with the setting of the various signal-determining devices.

3. A signaling system for conveying information to persons at a plurality of stations to enable them to coordinate their activities comprising a plurality of indicating galvanometers one of which is located at each station, each galvanometer having a pluralityor legends and a pointer associated therewith; a plurality of rheostats one corresponding to each galvanometer, said rheostats being individually adjustable to provide for the production simultaneously of different indications at the diiierent stations; circuit connections operatively connecting each rheostat with its respective galvanometer, whereby upon energization of the circuits each galvanometer gives an indi cation. in accordancewith the setting of its rheostat; a variable resistance in each galvanometer circuit to provide an adjustment whereby all of the galvanometer circuits may be adjusted for energization bythe same value of voltage; a source of current connected to energize all of the galvanometer circuits; and switching means operative to simultaneously control the flow of current in all 0t the galvanometer circuits.

JOSEPH E. ROBIN. 

